FAIR ISLE KNITTING: A Benjamin Burton Short Doc

This is a short documentary that covers a basic history of the Fair Isle, a remote isle in Northern Scotland with a population of around 50. It has a tiny population and always had, however, its had a massive impact globally within the knitting community. It is famous for its intricate patterns and amazing hand knit products.

This is the final product that I created for the College Colloquium Summer Research Grant from Willamette University. This was also my first opportunity attempting to create anything documentary style and I learned so much from it, looking back there are a million things that I would change but at the time it was created it was truly the best work that I could've created.

I would like to thank everyone who helped make this film possible it truly was the start to my film career!
Thank you to Willamette University for funding this project
David Altman for serving as an advisor for the project
SOVA for providing all music
Finally to my mom for supporting me in everything I've done

[extraterrestrialelliot]

So glad the wool needles hands podcast led me here, what a lovely piece of film

[charleswebster]

Dear Benjamin, 4 years later, here I am at nigh 80 years old & lifetime knitter & teacher of same to men, women, children, and all special needs. I adore stranded knitting and thank you for your choice of topic in your college course. I think everyone has critiqued you to pieces with your film making, so I will reserve my opinion. 😊 Best of all that is good on you, dear lad, in whatever your heart desires❣️👍🤗

[conniedunfield]

Thanks Benjamin I loved your film because I love to knit and learning the history & background of different methods of knitting makes knitting mean so much more to me than just a hobby or craft. And yes, we all need to "Wise Up" Thanks

[virginiamagann]

I love that you are a knitter...thank you for the visit to Fair Isle.
Such lovely people.

[chrisb]

Lovely film... would’ve preferred without the music during the interviews as competing with the people speaking. Gorgeous filming. Thank you for sharing 🌿

[bheinatz]

Go Bearcats! Willamette '09 alum!

[janekellett]

The music is really maddening!!! I almost stopped watching because of it.

[GlynisSakowicz]

There is a beauty to something that has been hand crafted, whether its a good meal, a beautiful sweater, or a bar of soap. There is a sense of care and talent, that goes into each and every thing that is created by hand... a sense of that thing having been created, cost someone their time and their intelligence...something that will never be found in having something that there are millions of copies created on machines.

[patbelowsky]

Such a beautiful film. You are an amazing young man! I’ve been a knitter my entire life, fascinated with Fair Isle. I want to live there!! Keep up the great work and always follow your dreams 🧶

[karenbochinski]

Beautiful filiming. I love fair isle. Without music would be better.

[gonnermleggies]

I adore seeing men amongst the knitting community. <3 this was a very cool watch. Such a beautiful place you got to go see. I'd love to go there for a visit.

[scotttenenbaum]

Really great job. For reasons I don’t understand I recently became fascinated with Fair Isle. I was thrilled to find your piece. It was perfect. thank you.

[jenniferlopez]

Loved this so much! As a knitter, I am always thankful to find true explorations of the art and process of knitting. Thank you for shining a light on such a beautiful knitting tradition.

[marlenejensen]

This popped up in my knitting feed. Watched it and 100% enjoyed it. Keep up the good work....now I’m off to watch your other videos.

[russellburton]

Dude I can't even begin to say how proud I am of you this is you added to your first semester and now you're producing it is the end of your last semester and it is unbelievably Dynamic active dude there's so many ways that I want to describe and analyze that but you did such a good job man your mother would be proud I am so proud of what you've done Beyond I don't know what else to say man I love you

[kevenwalters]

I loved this. Thank you. Great job. I especially loved the woman whom the island adopted, and she adopted its ways

[nicolefields]

Thank you for this sweet tour of a place that I have on my list of destinations for my upcoming sabbatical! I so enjoyed meeting the people and seeing the place-so beautiful!

[wildrose]

Superb video. Very professional and well done for making the journey there. I'm from the UK and very few of us even get to The Shetlands, let alone the Fair Isles 👏

[sylviajensen]

This is wonderful. I love fair isle knits. I can’t believe you actually went. So cool. I looked into how to get there at one point too but you did it. Really lovely video. Enjoyed it so much. Keep going!

[lavieestduresansconfiture]

Had no problems with the sound. Thanks for this little masterpiece. And the clicking was amazing.